ter of France had communicated to him the following extract of a
letter from the Count de Vergennes, which he had transmitted to the
Superintendent of Finance.

Extract of a letter from the Count de Vergennes, September 7th, 1781.

"We think that since the arrival of Colonel Laurens, you have stopped
the bills of Mr Morris on Messrs Le Couteulx. If the Superintendent
has not followed your advice, he will cause us some embarrassment, as
we have not destinated any fund for that article. We have
peremptorily declared to Dr Franklin, that we will not in future
discharge any bills, that had not been drawn with your consent. As to
you, Sir, we cannot but repeat our former instructions on this
subject; and we direct you to authorise no draft even for a small
sum."

* * * * *

No. 1.

_The Answer of his Most Christian Majesty to the Articles proposed by
the two Mediating Courts._[2]

Translation.

The mediators are too well satisfied of the moderation of the King,
and his constant wish for the re-establishment of peace, not to be
previously assured, that his Majesty will receive with as much
gratitude as warmth the _Preliminary Articles_ they have communicated.
The King, the more fully to convince the two high mediators of his
frankness and of the purity of his intentions, as well as of the
unreserved confidence, that he places in the justice and impartiality
of their High Imperial Majesties, believes he ought to make some
confidential observations upon these Preliminary Articles. His Majesty
flatters himself, that this will be more acceptable to them as its
sole objects are to prevent discussions, which are equally
mischievous and complicated, and to facilitate the much wished for
success of their generous interposition.

"ARTICLE I. _There shall be a negotiation at Vienna, by the united
care of the two Imperial Courts, embracing all the objects for the
re-establishment of peace, which the belligerent parties, who
intrust them with the mediation, shall judge proper to be there
proposed. A negotiation shall in the meantime be entered into
between Great Britain and her Colonies for the re-establishment of
peace in America, but without the intervention of either of the
other belligerent parties, or even of the two Imperial Courts,
unless their mediation shall be formally dem